Bedard's Landmark Deal
Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard signs 5-year, $15.5 million AAV contract after successful season
Anonymous
The Chicago Blackhawks have locked up their young superstar. Connor Bedard, just 21 years old, has signed a five-year contract extension worth $75 million — that's $15 million per season, according to Russian Machine Never Breaks. The deal makes Bedard the third-highest-paid player in the entire NHL.
The agreement comes after Bedard wrapped up his third NHL season with career highs across the board. He posted 30 goals and 45 assists for 75 points, The Hockey News reported. Chicago is betting big that he becomes the face of a franchise rebuild.
The Deal That Makes Bedard a Top-Three Earner
Bedard's new contract carries an average annual value of $15 million. Hockey Feed notes the salary cap hit is slightly higher at $15.5 million per season. The five-year term runs through what should be Bedard's prime years. He will be 26 when it expires.
Only two NHL players will earn more than Bedard next season. That puts him ahead of nearly every star in the league, according to Yahoo Sports. For context, Bedard has played just three NHL seasons. This is an enormous show of faith by Chicago's front office.
Bedard's Career-Best Season Earned This Payday
Bedard took a big step forward this past season. His 30 goals were a personal best. His 75 total points were also a career high, The Hockey News reported. He showed he could produce at an elite level even as the Blackhawks continued to rebuild around him.
Bedard was the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He was seen as a generational talent from day one. Three seasons in, he is starting to live up to that billing. A 75-point season at age 21 is a strong sign of things to come.
Chicago Builds Around Bedard With More Big Deals
Bedard is not the only player Chicago has committed to. The Blackhawks also signed defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Leo Carlsson to notable contracts, according to Hockey Feed. The team is clearly trying to build a winning core around their young superstar.
This fits a wider trend across the NHL. Teams are locking up young stars early and paying top dollar to do it. Chicago does not want to risk losing Bedard the way some franchises have lost their core players in the past.
Can Bedard Justify Being the Third-Highest Paid Player?
The pressure on Bedard will only grow with this contract. Earning $15 million a year means fans and coaches will expect results. Yahoo Sports Canada noted that Chicago is betting on continued growth from their 21-year-old star. The Blackhawks need him to become one of the best players in the world.
Bedard has the tools to get there. But the NHL is full of young stars who showed promise and never quite broke through at the highest level. The next five years will show whether Chicago made a brilliant move or paid too soon for a player still finding his peak.
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